Hi and newborn stash

SaraL1175

Hi everyone!

I just posted in another new member's intro post, and figured I should do one of my own.

I just switched to cloth diapers with my 4th son, a 16 month toddler.

My stash includes 3 used fuzzibunz OS, 6 used flip inserts, 2 new flip covers, and a dozen prefolds that I inherited from a girlfriend (all seem to be DSQ, and they even include a few Curity prefolds). I also have a few Dappi nylon covers that are functional if needed but nobody's favorite.

So far we seem to get through life with daily washing (I already do daily laundry as a SAHM with 4 kids) using the flips and fuzzibunz. We tried the prefolds and dappis until I was able to get covers for the flip inserts, and they were ok, but we honestly haven't used them since I picked up flip covers.

I've been buying with $$ saved from not using disposables. DH and I have made a pact to not use the credit card, so it's really what I can get locally with cash. There's a kid-to-kid resale store near us where I got the used items, and a buy buy baby that carries bum genius, flip, Charlie banana, gdiaper, Dappi, and the infamous gerber.

I'm expecting a baby girl in February, and so now starting to think about her diapering needs. I'll keep checking back at kid to kid for more used items. My mom says my grandma turfed up an unopened pack of gerbers that have been sitting at her house for at least 15 years. She's sending them to me, and I'm curious to see if they are old enough to be any good (e.g. No polyester).

I'm wondering whether to focus the NB stash around the quality prefolds I already have, and maybe get a couple more flip covers with NB inserts? I welcome comments/suggestions given my local resources.

mrshudson618

Flips will not fit a newborn, and neither will prefolds that fit a 16 month old.

You need actual nb size covers, probably 4-6 for washing every other day, and 18+ prefolds.

Have you looked into flats at all? They are the most economical option and can fit both the nb and toddler.

mrshudson618

Also is PayPal an option? Tons of places to buy used online with PayPal.

SaraL1175

mrshudson618 said:

Flips will not fit a newborn, and neither will prefolds that fit a 16 month old.

You need actual nb size covers, probably 4-6 for washing every other day, and 18+ prefolds.

Have you looked into flats at all? They are the most economical option and can fit both the nb and toddler.

I haven't bought any flats but I have 4-5 100% cotton receiving blankets. I know from past babies that they are a little too small to swaddle, but they seem to be the same size (28x28) as some flats out there.

I'm trying to avoid PayPal, also. I don't even use the debit card. I get my grocery $$ in cash, from the bank teller, every week. I shop to leave a little in reserve in case we run out of milk before the next weekly trip. Any other approach and we blow the budget. Lame, but, it's what works for us.

DecafGrandeMocha

IME don't bother with new gdiapers, especially the 3 piece sized ones. I was only willing to initially try CD because of g but ended up not liking them.
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joyfultrex

while they truly are not my favorite. I managed to get size small (not even newborn) g-diapers to fit my 5.5lb newborn with little problems. I don't like the covers at all, but the inserts are decent quality if you can find some covers to put them in. 

bum genuis also sells newborn diapers that you might be able to pick up at buy buy baby.

You could probably get the prefolds you have to fit the newborn, but they would be so bulky. Not knowing what I was doing in the beginning I started with yellow edge gmd prefolds and my kid is still wearing them at almost 18 months. This is not typical as he is still tiny, but it is possible. My mom always tells me they only had one size diaper and they just folded the rise down to fit. 

SaraL1175

joyfultrex said:

while they truly are not my favorite. I managed to get size small (not even newborn) g-diapers to fit my 5.5lb newborn with little problems. I don't like the covers at all, but the inserts are decent quality if you can find some covers to put them in. 

bum genuis also sells newborn diapers that you might be able to pick up at buy buy baby.

You could probably get the prefolds you have to fit the newborn, but they would be so bulky. Not knowing what I was doing in the beginning I started with yellow edge gmd prefolds and my kid is still wearing them at almost 18 months. This is not typical as he is still tiny, but it is possible. My mom always tells me they only had one size diaper and they just folded the rise down to fit. 

Yes, my mom also cloth-diapered six babies with one size of prefolds!

TJ1979

You can get flour sack towels at wal mart 5/$5. Between FSTs, the prefolds you have, and your receiving blankets, all you would need is like 4 true newborn covers for daily washing.

ORRRRR... Get some best bottoms covers! They should start fitting around 8 lbs, and still fit my 30 lb 2.5yo.

NYMominCA

Actually with NB prefolds you can use Flip covers. Try this trick, we used it in a pinch with DS as a newborn. https://www.diaperswappers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1052745&page=11

Baby-Boo

My husband and I swore off credit cards before we were even married. However, you can use your bank debit card (just put your cash in that checking account) and buy whatever you like online. Also, my mom cloth diapered with one size of prefolds, pins and plastic pants with----wait for it---eleven sensetive skin babies.

karenhorning

Have you check Craigslist or looked on facebook for any local cloth diaper B/S/T  groups?  If a local consignment store sometimes has used cloth diapers chances are good there are other cloth diaper families in your area that may be looking to sell off their NB (and other) diapers.

If you are deadset against using credit/debt/paypal to order online and have a Target nearby, they carry Thirsties (including Thirsties Duo size 1 which are fairly popular for NB covers) online but you should be able to go to customer service and order in store and pay there in cash.  (Or buy a target gift card in store and use it order online).  Better yet you could make a baby registry with them then take your registry print off and '10% off registry completion coupon' to order them.

Kudlica27

I agree with PP that you need a few newborn covers. Do you have any local mom resale sites? I follow a natural local one on Facebook and they are always posting cloth diapers! A friend and I both updated our newborn stash from that site. We have also found awesome deals. Once you know what you are looking for, search some local resale sites for deals.